The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-04-09

THE GRAVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF the
RETAllATORY ACT.
Firm and Pstsistie Words Upsa the Duty Of the
nstisa as1 its nssl-Ths natisaai
Hsass nsst - nsiataias1.


les dispute and suggesting that the Re
taliatOry Act, passed by the late Con
gress, would, in their opinion. be suffi-
GENTLY executed if the proposed retala-
ton was confined to the closing Of the
United States markets to Canadian fish
products, he has made the following
answer:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, April z, 1887.
To George Steel, Esq, President American
Fishery Union and Others. Gloucester. Mass
GENrIEMEN:-I have received your let
ter addressed to me, and have given full
consideration to the expression OF views
and wishes therein contained, in relation
to existing differences between the Gov
ernment Of Great Britain and the
United States, growing out of the refusal
to award to our citizens engaged in fish
ing enterprises the privileges to which
they are entitled, either under treaty
stipulation or the guarantee of interna-
tional comfy and neighbOrly concessions.
sincerely trust the apprehension you
express, of unjust and unfriendly treat
ment of American fishermen lawfully
found in Canadian waters will not be re-
allied. But if such apprehension should
prove to be well founded l earnestly
hope that no fault or incOnsisierate ac-
ton Of any of our citizens will in the
least weaken the just position Of our
Government or deprive us Of the univer-
sal sympathy and support to which We
should be entitled.
The action Of this administration
since June, 1885, when the fishery ar
ticles Of the treaty Of 1871 were termin-
ated under the notification which had
two years before been given by our Gov
ernment has been fully disclosed by the
correspondence between the representa-
tives and departments Of the respective
Governments. with which l am aPprised
by your letter, you are entirely familiar.
An examination of this correspondence
has doubtless satisfied you that in no
case have the rights or privileges of the
American fishermen been overlooked or
neglected but that, on the contrary,
they have been seduOusly insisted upon
and cared for by means within the con-
troll Of the executive branch Of the tiov-
ernment.
The act of Congress approved March 3,
1887, authorizing the course Of retaliation
through Executive action in the event
of continuance ON the part Of the Brit
sh American authorities Of unfriendly
conduct and treaty violations affecting
American fishermen, has devOlved upon
the President of the United States ex-
ceedingly grave and solemn response
bilities, comprehending highly import
ant consequences to our National char
ter and dignity, and involving the ex-
tremely valuable commercial intercourse
between the British Possessions in North
America and the people Of the United
States.
understand the main purpose of your
letter is to suggest that, in case the re-
course to retaliatOry measures authorized
by this act should be invited by unjust
treatment Of our fishermen in the future,
the object of such retaliation might be
fully accomplished by prohibiting
Canadian caught fish from entry into
ports of the United States"
The existing controversy is one in
which two nations are the parties con-
cerned. The retaliation contemplated
by the act Of Congress is to be enforced,
not to protect any particular interest,
however meritoriOus or reliable, but to
maintain the National honor and thus
protect all our people. In this view the
violation of the American fishery rights
and the unjust or unfriendly acts to-
ward a portion Of our citizens engaged
in this business, is but an occasion for
action, and constitutes a National af-
front which gives birth to, or may just
sorted to, its effectiveness and value
may well depend upon the thoroughness
and extent of it's application. and in the
performance Of International duties. the
enforcement of international rights and
the protection Of our citizens. this Gov
ernment and the people Of the United
States must act as a unit-all intent
upon attaining the best results Of retail
alton upon the basis Of maintenance Of
National honor and duty.
A nation seeking by any means to
maintain its honor and dignity and in
tegrity, is engaged in protecting the
rights Of its people. and il IN such efforts
particular interests are in Iured and spe-
cial advantages forfeited, these things
should be patriotically horne for the pub
lie good. An immense volume Of popu-
lation, manufactures AMI agricultural
productions. and marine tonnage and
railways to which thee have given ac-
tivity, all largely the result OF inter
course between the United States and
British America, and the natural growth
of full half a century of good neighbor-
hood and friendly communication. form
an aggregate Of material wealth and IN
cidental relations of the most impressive
magnitude. fully appreciate these
things and am not unmindful OF the
great number Of our people who are con-
cerned in such vast and diversified in
terests.
In the performance Of the serious duty
which Congress has imposed upon me,
and in the exercise, upon just occasion
of the power conferred under the act re
| ferred to- shall deem myself bound to do
no unnecessary damage OF injury upon
any portion Of our people; but ] shall
neverthele1 be unfinchingiy guided by 9
sense Of what self-respect and the digni
| ty Of the nation demands. In the main
| tsinance a these and in support Of ths
honor Of the government, beneath which
every citi.en may repose N s.fety, m
| sscxsRcs a pessonal o. privass interest,
shan be considesed - agninst the gener
! n welfare. Yo0Fs. vWy truly,